Cheese press



y 15, 1951 N. R. BURRELL ETAL 2,553,035

' cnssss mass Shuts-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 May 15, 1951 N. R. BURRELL ET AL CHEESE PRESS 4 Shuts-Shoot 2 Filed Feb. 5, 1947 IZZIUGIZ'ZLOES RE. Bu/11 e LL y 5 N.- R. BURRELL ETAL 2,553,035

cmmsss Filea Feb 5 1947 4 shuts-shuts Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHEESE PRESS of New Zealand Application February 5, 1947, Serial No. 726,542 In New Zealand December 21, 1943 Section 1, Public Law 690, August 8, 1946 Patent expires December 21, 1963 15 Claims.

The invention relates generally to a cheese press and more particularly to improved means for applying pressure in cheese presses and the like, wherein rams are employed.

The object of the invention, is to provide for the aforesaid purpose, improved means, wherein a ram after completing a pressure stroke, is enabled to hold its load or maintain its pressure on Whatever is being compressed, while the cylinder from which the ram was projected to apply the pressure, is adjusted on the ram to enable the latter to apply further pressure, or to perform another pressure stroke.

A further object of the invention, is to provide means, whereby the cylinder and the ram are enabled to alternately resist movement in one direction on the frame or bed on which they operate, and also to provide for the pressure stroke of the ram, and the adjustment of the cylinder on the latter, being made to occur alternately, in proper or desired sequence, and also to ensure that all of the operations, once the application of pressure has been started, are performed with out manual aid.

The invention consists in providing for the application of pressure to cheese hoops, or other articles, or material, a ram and a cylinder adapted to have movement alternately, along a frame or bed, in the direction in which the pressure is applied, the cylinder when the ram is moving and applying pressure to whatever is being compressed, being held against reverse movement on the frame or bed, and the ram when the cylinder is moving thereon and along the frame or bed, being held against reverse movement on the latter, and maintaining the pressure previously applied, on whatever is being compressed.

The invention further consists in providing the ram and the cylinder with means which enables them to separately resist movement along the "frame or bed in the reverse direction to the direction in which the pressure is applied to the hoops or other articles or material, while leaving said rain and said cylinder free, to 'be moved in the last mentioned direction as required.

The invention still further consists in providing for the application of pressure to cheese hoops, or other articles, or material, by means of a ram and a cylinder operated as aforesaid, wherein the ram is moved to apply pressure, by working fluid introduced into the cylinder, and wherein the latter moves on to the ram upon working fluid being exhausted from the cylinder.

Further improvements are provided by utilising a Working fluid consisting of compressed air and a liquid, the latter being displaced from the ram to the cylinder and vice versa, under the action of the compressed air in operating the ram and the cylinder. Other improvements are also provided.

The invention will, however, be more particularly described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an elevation,

Figure 2 is a plan view of the improved pressure applying means, according to the invention,

Figure 3 is a part longitudinal elevation, and a part longitudinal sectional elevation of the cylinder and the ram,

Figure 4 shows by means .of a part elevation and a part sectional elevation the valve which controls the supply of compressed air to the ram, and the cylinder, and the means for operating said valve,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a cheese press illustrating the manner of applying the improved pressure applying means to telescopic cheese hoops placed therein,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pressure applying means,

Figure 7 is a similar view to Figure 3, but showing the ram I extended in relation :to the cylinder 2, and

Figures 8 and 9 are an elevation and plan view respectively illustrating the manner of attaching the valve actuating rocking lever, to the valve housing.

The ram I is made sufficiently smaller in diameter than the cylinder 2, to provide for an annular space 3 (Figures 3 and 7) in the latter, when inserted therein, said ram I having fitted to its rear end, a ring 4 and glands i and also working through a gland 5 at the open end of the cyplinder 2, so as to render said annular space 3 air and liquid tight.

The ram I and the cylinder '2 are supported on a frame 6 by means of cross members I, 8, respectively formed integral with said ram I and said cylinder 2, while the frame 6 has spaced along its upper surface stops or rack teeth 9 which slope or incline upwards in the direction in which said ram I and cylinder 2 travel in applying pressure, the cross members i, 8, aforesaid, being adapted to slide on the frame 6 over the-stops or rack teeth 9 thereon.

The cross members I, 8, contain openings in which are pawls I0, I I respectively, pressed downwards by springs I2, I2 on their stems I0 and II and in compression between said pawls 10, II and brackets I3, I3 on the cross members I, 8, said brackets I3, I 3 also serving as guides for the pawl stems Hi and Il Mounted on a bracket I4 on the ram I, so as to travel with the latter, is a valve housing I5, containing valves for controlling the passage of compressed air to the ram and also to the annular space 3 of the cylinder 2, said housing I5 having mounted on a bracket I5 a rocking lever I6 adapted to be actuated, by spring means in conjunction with guide means on, and which travel with, the cylinder 2, at the completion of each movement of the ram I, in the direction in which pressure is being applied, to reverse the functions of the valves in the housing I5, will be later herein described.

The ram and the cylinder 2 are each, when movement is being imparted to the other in the direction in which pressure is being applied, held against reverse movement on the frame 6 by the pa'wls II or I6 engaging stops or rack teeth 9 on the frame 6.

Before the cycle of operations commences, the ram I, which is filled with a liquid, is inserted to its fullest extent in the cylinder 2.

In order to commence operations, compressed air is passed through pipe 25 from the valve housing I5, as will be later described, to port I? and director pipe I? (Figures 3 and '7), and enters the interior of the ram I, the liquid in which is forced through pipe I8 into the space between the rear of the ram I and the rear of the cylinder 2, the displacement of the liquid causing the ram I to move forward, or outwards, in and from the cylinder 2, and so cause pressure to be exerted against the cheese or other substance being pressed, the cylinder 2 meantime bein held against movement in the reverse direction on the frame 6, by its pawls II engaging stops or rack teeth 9 thereon.

-In the illustration of the press in Fig. 5, the substance being pressed is curds contained in conventional telescopic cheese hoops d8 placed between the ram I and a fixed bar or stop 6 at the end of the frame 6.

Upon compressed air being passed from the valve housing I5 through pipe 21 to enter the annular space 3 via the pipe I9 located inside the ram I, as will be more particularly described later, owing to the ram I being held by its pawls II] against rearward movement on the frame 6, the cylinder 2 is caused to slide forward on the ram I, the liquid between the rear of the cylinder 2, and. the rear of ram I being forced back into the ram I via the pipe I8 in the ram I.

When the cylinder 2 has completed its forward movement on, or has moved up on the ram I, the cylinder pawls again engage stops or rack teeth 9 on the frame 6, and hold the cylinder 2 against backward movement thereon.

The housing I5 mounted on, and which travels with the ram I, contains a pressure chamber 20, to which compressed air is supplied from a suitable source, via a flexible line 2|, said pressure chamber being connected by passages 22, 22 with valve chambers 23, 23 the former being in communication through port 24 (Figure 4),

pipe 25 (Figs. 1, 2, 4), port H and pipe I'I**(Figs.

to prevent compressed air passing from the pressure chamber 20 to the chambers 23, 23 and into which latter the fluted or flat sided stems 29 of the valves 29, 29* project through the passages 22, 22 when the valves 29, 29 are closed on their seats.

Each valve chamber 23, 23 in addition to being in communication with the ram I or cylinder 2, as aforesaid, is also provided with one or more exhaust ports 30 open to atmosphere, said chambers 23, 23 housingvalves 3|, 3I spring loaded to normally close the exhaust port or ports 30, and also having stems 3P which project from the housing I5.

The valves 3|, 3| in the chambers 23, 23*, are cylindrical adjacent the parts adapted to close the exhaust ports 30 or 30 and taper from their greatest diameters remote from the parts provided to close said ports 30 or 30*, to the cylindrical portions.

Normally, each of the valves 3|, 3%", under the action of its spring loading, closes the exhaust ports 3|! or 3|] from the chamber in which it is housed, and at the same time, by means of its tapered portion engaging the fluted or flat sided valve stem 29*, which projects into the valve chamber, forces the valve 23 or 29* on said stem 23 off its seat in the pressure chamber 26, and so allows compressed air to pass from the latter to the valve chamber 23 or 23 and thence either to the ram I or the annular space 3 in the cylinder 2.

The valves 3|, 3| in chambers 23, 23, are actuated or operated so that when one of said valves 3|, 3 l is in the position just described, the other valve is in the reverse position, or is moved against the spring loading 23 or 23 to a position where the stem 29*, which projects into a valve chamber 23 or 25%, is enabled to clear the tapered portion of the valve 3| or 3| therein, and permit the spring 29, loading valves 29 or 29 to close on its seat in the pressure chamber 20, and prevent the passage of compressed air from said chamber 2!) to a valve chamber 23 or 23*, the exhaust ports 30 or 39 bein open" to allow air to be exhausted from either the ram I or the cylinder 2.

The lever I6 is pivoted at I5 on the bracket |5 between the valve chambers 23, 23 and has opposed arms 32, 32 located one opposite each of the valve stems 3| 3| projecting through the housing I5, from the valve chambers 23, 23 so that upon said lever I5 being moved about its pivot, in either direction, one valve stem 3W or 3| is pushed inwards against its spring 23 or 23 and the valve 3| or 3I it carries, moves oif its seat to open exhaust ports 39 or 30*, while the other valve stem 3 i or 3 I is moved outwards under the action of its spring, and forces its valve 3|, or 3 I on to its seat, to close the exhaus ports 30 or 3|] which it controls.

The lever I6 carries a pin IG at its outer end, said pin I6 being adapted to ccact with guide means comprising a member 33, channel shaped in cross section, secured in a horizontal position on the cylinder 2, so as to travel therewith, and having a raised center portion 36, with bevelled ends to provide open ended upper and lower slots 35, 36 respectively, for the pin It? to travel in. Connected to the lower arm 32 of the opposed arms 32, 32 of the lever I6 is a control rod Bl, which travels with the ram I, and is adapted to slide through a bracket 38 on the cylinder 2,-said rod 31 having thereon, between said bracket 38 and the arm 32 a coiled spring 39, while a further coiled spring ill is positioned on said rod 31 between a stop 4| thereon and the bracket 38.

In the position illustrated in the drawings except Figs. 5 and 7, the ram I is about to commence a forward stroke to apply pressure under the action of compressed air passed via the flexible supply line 2 I, pressure chamber 26, the passage 22, the valve chamber 23, port 2A, pipe 25, port I1 and pipe Il into the ram I, and the latter, upon moving forward, draws with it the control rod 37, and the rocking lever IS the pin [6 on which travels along in the lower slot 38, whereby the valves BI, 3I in the valve chambers 23, 23 are prevented from changing position during this movement of the ram I.

As the rod 3! is drawn forward, and towards the end of the stroke, spring 40 is compressed between stop 4! and the bracket 38, and upon the ram I completing its forward stroke, the pin I6 clears the forward end of the raised center portion 34 of the guide means aforesaid, whereupon the spring H3 is free to exert itself, and due to the expansion thereof, combined with the expansion of the compressed spring 23 in valve chamber 23, the resistance of the spring 23 in valve chamber 23 is overcome, with the result that the position of the lever i6 is changed from the lower position shown in Figures 1, 2, l and 6 to a raised position with the pin It? presented to the forward end of the upper slot 35 and the functions of the valves 3| and 3| in the chambers 23, 23 are reversed.

It is now necessary to draw the cylinder 2 up on the ram I, and due to the reversed function of the valves 3|, compressed air is passed via the supply line 2I, pressure chamber 2t, passage 22 valve chamber23 port 25, pipe 21, port 28 and pipe IE) to the annular space 3, in the cylinder 2, and the latter commences to move forward on the ram I, which is held against reverse movement on the frame 6 by the pawls Ill as before described, and during this forward movement of thecylinder 2, the upper slot 35 of the guide means on the cylinder 2 passes upon the pin It on the lever I6, and so retains the latter in the raised position during the movement of the cylinder 2 on to the ram I, and during which spring '39 is towards the end of the stroke compressed between the bracket 38 and the arm 32 H on the lever I6. I

Upon the cylinder 2 completing its movement on to the ram I, the pin It is cleared by the rear end of the raised central portion 34 of the guide means, on the cylinderZ, and under the expansion of the spring 39 and the compressed spring 23 in valve chamber 2-3, the lever it is returned to the lower position illustrated in full lines, in readiness for the ram I to commence a further pressure applying stroke.

In order to enable the ram I and the cylinder- 2 to be moved backwards on the frame 6 for resetting thereon for future operations, means are provided for lifting the pawls I I, Iii, clear of the steps or rack teeth 9, said means comprising horizontal bars 12, which pas through the slotted upper ends of the stems IIl II of the pawls II, I0, and are connected at their forward ends with the stems of the pawls I 0, so as to travel with the latter.

Levers 43, one at each side of the apparatus, and pivoted at their forward ends at it on brackets 44 on the cross member 8 of the cylinder 2 are joined together behind the latter, by a handle "bar 45, the levers 33 being provided with pins 6 43, which engage below the bars 42 between the pawls II, I0.

The bars 42 are slidable endways through the stems II of the pawls I I, and allow for variation in distance, apart of the pawls II, It), while the latter can be lifted clear of the stop or rack teeth 9 On the frame 6, by raising the handle bar 45, the latter being capable of being retained in the raised position with the pawls II, It disengaged from the rack or stop teeth 9, by engaging the notched hanging member 46 pivoted on the bar 65, on the cross member 8 of the cylinder 2.

The slots in the upper ends of the valve stems I 8 I= are made long enough to permit the pawls II, Iii to rise far enough during normal operation of the apparatus, to ride over the stops 01' rack teeth 9, without lifting the horizontal con necting bars 42.

The connection between the bars 42 and the stems I li of the pawls Iii, so that said bars travel with the latter, yet do not interfere with upward movement of the stems I9, I l is made by means of pins 4! through the bars %2 at each side of the tems Ill.

The casing I is reinforced by a horizontal strengthening rib 49 (Figs. 3 and 7).

What we do claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent of the United States of America 1. A cheese press, comprising in combination, a frame, a cylinder part, and a ram part which operates therein, adapted to be moved aaernateiy along said frame in the direction in which pressure is being applied, each part being moved under the action of working fluid pressure; looking means associated with said ram part so as to travel therewith, and locking means associated with said cylinder part so as to travel therewith, each locking means being adapted to engage itself with the frame and prevent reverse movement thereon of the part with which it is associated upon the other part being placed under the action of working fluid pressure, valvular means associated with one of said alternately moving parts so as to travel therewith, and means associated with the other of said alternately moving parts so as to travel therewith and coacting with said valvular means, whereby as the result of movement between said alternately moving parts, said valvular means are actuated at the completion of each movement of each alternately moving part along the frame as aforesaid, to cause working fluid pressure applied to one of said alternately moving parts to transfer its action to the other of said alternately moving parts, and also to permit working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the alternately moving part from which the action of the working fluid or pressure has been transferred.

2. A cheese press, comprising in combination, a frame, a cylinder part and a ram part which operates therein, adapted to be moved alternately, along said frame in the direction in which pressure is being applied, each part being moved under the action of working fluid pressure; locking means associated with said ram part so as to travel therewith, and locking means associated with said cylinder part so as to travel therewith, each locking means being adapted to engage it: self with the frame and prevent reverse movement thereon, of the part with which it is associated, upon the other part being placed under the action of working fluid pressure; and valvular means associated with the ram part so as to travel therewith, and means carried by the cylinder part coacting with the valvular means, whereby at the completion of each movement of said ram part along the frame as aforesaid, the valvular means are operated to cause the working fluid pressure to move the cylinder part on to the ram part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from'the latter, and at the completion of each movement of the cylinder part onto the ram part, said valvular means are operated to cause working fluid pressure toactuate the ram part so that it is projected from the cylinder part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the latter.

3. A cheese press, comprising in combination, a frame, a cylinder part and a ram part which operates therein, adapted to be moved, alternately, along said frame in the direction in which pressure is being applied, the ram part being projected from the cylinder part by the displacement of liquid from the ram part into the cylinder part, upon the introduction of compressed air into the ram part, and the cylinder part being moved on to the ram part by the introduction of compressed air into the cylinder part; locking means associated with said ram part so as to travel therewith, and locking means associated with said cylinder part, so as to travel therewith, each locking means being adapted to engage itself with the frame and prevent reverse movement thereon, of the part with which it is associated, upon the other part being placed under the action of working fluid pressure; valvular means associated with one of said alternately moving parts so as to travel therewith, and means associated with the other of said alternately moving parts so as to travel therewith and coacting with the valvular means, whereby at the completion of each movement of the ram part along the frame as aforesaid, the valvular means are operated to cause working fluid pressure to move the cylinder part on to the ram part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the ram part, and at the completion of each movement of the cylinder part on to the ram part, said valvular means are operated to cause working fluid pressure to actuate the ram part so that it is projected from the cylinder part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the latter.

4 A cheese press, comprising in combination. a frame, a cylinder part and a ram part which operates therein, fitted to provide an annular space in the cylinder part, and having communication between their interiors, adapted to be moved alternately along said frame in the direction in which pressure is being applied, the ram part being projected from the cylinder part by the displacement of liquid from the ram part into the cylinder part, upon the introduction of compressed air into the ram part, and the cylinder part being moved on to the ram part by the introduction of compressed air into said annular space; locking means associated with said ram part so as to travel therewith, locking means associated with said cylinder part so as to travel therewith, each locking means being adapted to engage itself with the frame, and prevent reverse movement thereon, of the part with which it is associated, upon the other part being placed under the action of working fluid pressure; and valvular means associated with one of said alternately moving parts, so as to travel, therewith, and means associated with the other of said alternately moving parts, so as to travel therewith and coacting with the valvular means,

whereby at the completion of each movement of said ram part along the frame as aforesaid, the valvular means are operated to cause the working fluid pressure to move the cylinder part on to the ram part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the ram part, and at the completion of each movement of the cylinder part on to the ram part, said valvular means are operated to cause working fluid pressure to actuate the ram part so that it is projected from the cylinder part, and working fluid pressure to be exhausted from the latter.

5. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ram part operates through a gland at the open end of the cylinder part, and is fitted at its rear end with a ring and glands which operate in the cylinder part and provide for an air and liquid tight annular space between the ram part and the cylinder part, for the reception of compressed air; and also wherein a space in communication with the interior of the ram part, is provided between the rear end of the ram part, and the rear end of the cylinder for the reception of liquid displaced from the ram.

6. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 4, wherein working fluid is passed into the annular space, via a conduit leading from the exterior of the ram part into said annular space.

'7. A cheese press, comprising a frame, stops on said frame, a pressure applying member, and a member from which said pressure applying member is projected, said members being movable separately along said frame in the direction in which pressure is applied, pawls on said members adapted to engage said stops to hold the members against movement in the reverse direction to that in which pressure is applied, lifting bars operatively connected to said pawls, and means operatively related to said bars, for raising same to cause the pawls to clear the stops.

8. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 7, wherein a valve arrangement adapted to travel with the pressure applying member, and having an operating lever adapted to co-act with a guide adapted to travel with the member from which the pressure applying member is projected, is provided for controlling the application of compressed air to bring about movements of said members, in the direction in which pressure is being applied, said valve arrangement being actuated at the completion of each movement of said members in the direction in which pressure is being applied, to cut off the supply of compressed air to one of said members, and to permit air to be exhausted from the other thereof.

9. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the valve arrangement comprises a housing provided with a chamber for the reception of compressed air; a pair of valve chambers with exhaust ports therefrom, and each adapted to be separately put in communication with a part of the apparatus to be operated; communicating passages between the reception chamber and the valve chambers; valves adapted to open and close said communicating passages; valves in said valve chambers adapted to open and close the exhaust ports therefrom, and also to operate the valves in the communicating passages to permit compressed air to pass through said valve chambers to parts of the apparatus to be operated, and means for operating the valves in said valve chambers.

10. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 9, and

wherein the valves in the valve chambers are formed to engage the stems of valves which extend into said valve chambers from the communicating passages between the latter and the reception chamber, and also wherein the valves in the valve chambers are provided with stems which project from said chambers, and are engaged by operating means.

11. A cheese press as claimed in claim 7, wherein a valve arrangement adapted to travel with the pressure applying member, and having an operating lever adapted to co-act with a guide adapted to travel with the member from which the pressure applying member is projected, is provided for controlling the application of compressed air to bring about movements of said members, in the direction in which pressure is being applied, said valve arrangement being actuated at the completion of each movement of said members in the direction in which pressure is being applied, to out off the supply of compressed air to one of said members, and to permit air to be exhausted from the other thereof, the said valve arrangement comprising a housing provided with a chamber for the reception of compressed air, a pair of valve chambers with exhaust ports therefrom and each adapted to be separately put in communication with a part of the apparatus to be operated, said housing being provided with communicating passages between the reception chamber and the valve chambers, valves adapted to open and close said communicating passages, valves in said valve chambers adapted to open and close the exhaust ports therefrom, and also to operate the valves in the communicating passages to permit compressed air to pass through said valve chambers to parts of the apparatus to be operated, and means for operating the valves in said valve chambers, comprising a lever adapted to travel with the valves and provided with arms which engage the projecting stems of said valves, said lever having thereon a pin with a roller thereon, adapted to engage guide means on a part of the apparatus, which moves independently of the part on which the valve arrangement is mounted, and a control rod with compression springs thereon, operating between one of the arms of said lever and a bracket on the part of the apparatus on which the guide means are mounted, for the purpose of reversing and changing the functions of the valves.

12. A cheese press, as claimed in claim 7, and wherein the means for engaging the bars to raise the pawls comprise levers pivoted on the cylinder, and connected together by a handle at the rear of the latter, said levers being provided with pins adapted to engage said bars.

13. A cheese press including a frame, a cylinder member slideably mounted with respect thereto, a ram member slideably mounted with respect to the frame and cooperatively associated in sliding relationship with respect to the cylinder, movable locking means carried by the ram member and the cylinder member, fixed stop means mounted on the frame in longitudinal spaced relation with respect to the axis of the ram member and cylinder member, means for moving the ram outwardly of the cylinder to apply pressure, the locking means on the cylinder cooperating with the stop means on the frame to prevent reverse movement of the cylinder during outward movement of the ram with relation thereto, means for moving the cylinder in the same direction as the movement of the ram, the locking means on the ram member cooperating with the stop means on the frame to prevent reverse movement of the ram member when the cylinder member is being moved with respect thereto and means for moving the locking members carried by the ram and cylinder members to permit simultaneous reverse movement of both said ram and cylinder members.

14. In a cheese press a fluid operated pressure applying ram member, a cylinder slideably receiving said ram member with respect to which said ram member is movable during the pressure applying operation, a frame slideably supporting said ram and cylinder members, means for moving said cylinder in the same direction as said ram member moves in its pressure applying movement, and cooperable lockin means carried respectively by the ram member, the cylinder member, and the frame and operable to lock the cylinder member against reverse movement relative to the frame when the ram is being moved and the ram member against reverse movement relative to the frame when the cylinder member is bein moved.

15. In a cheese press as defined in and by claim 14 in which the locking means include movably mounted members carried by the ram and cylinder and fixed members carried by the frame, resilient means normally urging the movable members toward the frame for engaging relation with respect to the fixed members, and means for moving said movable member out of engaging relation and retaining said members disengaged to provide for simultaneous reverse movement of the ram member and the cylinder member.

NEWTON RALFE BURRELL. GEORGE LAWRIE THOMPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Shapiro Feb. 11, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Number 

